DRLC Pushes for Regulations That Increase Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The Disability Rights Legal Center recently submitted comments to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs responding to revised regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 503 prohibits discrimination by covered federal contractors and subcontractors against individuals on the basis of disability, and promotes the hiring of qualified individuals with disabilities. The proposed regulations would strengthen the disability provisions, bringing them into better alignment with the law's treatment of women and minorities. The new regulations mark significant improvements towards access for people with disabilities to employment opportunities, but the DRLC pushed the Department of Labor recommendations to go even further: increasing meaningful employment for as many people with disabilities as possible and decreasing reliance on sheltered workshops. Read the DRLC letter

Monica Fawzy Bryant, Midwest Regional Director of the CLRC, has written about the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Illinois women in an article published in the Winter Edition of Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) newsletter. Ms. Bryant highlights provisions of the bill relevant to women coping with cancer in Illinois. She also addresses the potential legal challenges, and the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments for those challenges. This publication is circulated to WBAI members and will hopefully attract new members to the CLRC's Professional Panel. Attorneys in the Professional Panel have agreed to volunteer their time to speak with callers on the CLRC's national Telephone Assistance Line, in an effort to assist in resolving cancer-related legal issues. Click here for more information about the Professional Panel

Sarah Aguirre Joins CRLC's Midwest Regional Office

Sarah Seaman Aguirre is the Administrative Assistant for the Cancer Legal Resource Center, located in the Midwest Regional Office. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Design and has worked as a scenic artist in the Chicago theater community. Prior to joining the CLRC, Ms. Aguirre served as Event and Project Manager for Safety Service Systems, Inc., specializing in the development and implementation of access programs for patrons with disabilities at major national festivals and sporting events. Access and Special Services became a personal passion, beginning with her first season as the Special Services Manager for the Chicago Bears in 2003 when she first heard a patron say "You don't understand, we haven't really left the house in years, but what you do makes it possible for us to attends games again." The opportunity to contribute to an organization that so fundamentally shared her perspective was a true gift, and she is very pleased to be a new member of the DRLC.

Save the Date

Friday, March 30 - Sunday, April 1

Meet the DRLC at This Year's Abilities Expo Los Angeles

The Disability Rights Legal Center is participating in this year's Abilities Expo in Los Angeles. Come find us in booth #921 and learn about our programs and services. Abilities Expo is the trusted source where people with disabilities, their families, seniors, vets, caregivers and healthcare professionals gain knowledge and empowerment (and have a little fun!). For more than 30 years, Abilities Expo has also provided an excellent forum for companies with disability products and services to reach out and enhance the lives of this Community.

Dates and Times of Abilities Expo L.A. are as follows:Friday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Registration is now open for Cancer Legal Resource Center's 2012 Cancer Rights Conferences! The CLRC will be hosting conferences in Boston, MA, on May 29; Chicago, IL, on September 7; Central Valley, CA, on October 5; and Houston, TX on October 19. Each of these conferences will bring together cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, attorneys, health care professionals, and other members of the cancer community to learn about subjects including health insurance, health care reform, employment, and taking time off work and disability insurance. To register, please visit http:cancerrightsconference.org. For more information about becoming a sponsor or partner of the CLRC's National Cancer Rights Conferences, click here.

How to Help

Shop at Ralphs and Defend Rights of People with Disabilities

Thank you so much for championing the rights of people with disabilities by supporting the DRLC through Ralphs Community Contribution Program. The DRLC uses every dollar donated from this program to serve people with disabilities. Please visit www.ralphs.com to both re-register and to register.

Champion the Rights of People with Disabilities by Shopping, Searching Online

Support Disability Rights Legal Center simply by shopping and searching online. Become an iGivemember and select DRLC as one of your causes, then go shopping by clicking on an iGivelink to one of the hundreds of participating retailers, including Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, DisneyStore.com, eBay, Expedia.com, Macy's, NORDSTROM.com, ProFlowers, Sport Chalet, Travelocity. Causes always receive 100% of the donation amount advertised on iGive's website. You can also contribute simply by using iGive's search engine.

Donate

The online credit card donation feature is available on the Make a Donation page of the DRLC website. This quick and easy function can be used for general donations.

Volunteer

Visit the How You Can Help page of our website to volunteer as a pro bono attorney on a disability rights case, work as a student law clerk or assist with intake and administrative responsibilities.